Olivia stood on the sidewalk outside the train station and looked at her phone. She couldn't see the parallel to the times she waited outside the station for Max to arrive by train, because she wasn't in the city anymore. She looked out at a vast parking lot filled with commuters' cars. As the minutes ticked by she opened her app on her phone and ordered a ride.

Hopefully, whatever kept him wouldn't tie him up too long. In her heart, she knew he wouldn't skip the ultrasound. Max might not talk about the baby, but he hadn't ignored it either. More and more she would catch his eyes on her bump. When they made love, he was careful not to put his weight on her.

Made love. She couldn't think of it as sex. In the moments when they were pressed skin to skin, Max was different; it was like the part of him he worked so hard to hide leaked out. It gave her hope that she would break down his barrier, with patience and time. She had both. As she slipped into the backseat of the car, she reminded herself not to be angry because he didn't pick her up.

In the waiting room, she kept expecting him to burst through the door. In her imagination, all the women's heads would turn and he would smile at her. But her name was called, and she followed the bubbly nurse into a room with an ultrasound machine.

"After your scan, you'll see the doctor."

She nodded because she had already been told what to expect. Once again she waited, but didn't mind. It gave Max more time to get there. When the door opened and it wasn't him, she tried not to feel disappointed.

After introductions, she cleared her throat. "My, um, the baby's father might be coming."

The woman's smile made Olivia feel like she was humoring her. "That's nice, but I can't wait to get started."

Maybe men who weren't husbands blew off ultrasound appointments all the time. Somehow she hoped Max would be different and he would come through. She held her head high. "He's a surgeon and very dedicated to patients."

The tech nodded but wasn't overly impressed. Olivia always felt proud of him. She remembered him in New Haven with little Jayden. She held the memory close to her heart. Seeing him in action had only impressed her and made her love him more, so she would forgive him anytime a patient kept him away.

Just as the tech had finished squeezing the cold gel onto her belly, the door opened and Olivia relaxed. She hoped seeing their baby would change Max's attitude. What she hadn't expected was how serious he was. Even though the tech called him dad, he viewed the screen as a doctor.

The minute Olivia heard it was a son, it was all she ever wanted. A little Max with perfect brown eyes. Her heart filled with love for the human inside her. Seeing their baby made the whole thing more real.

The scan continued as Max directed the tech like a surgeon would an assistant. Part of her felt awkward as she explained he operated on birth defects.

When Max asked to look at his face, her heart stopped. She knew he would love his son, even as he ran out the door to care for another child.

Later that afternoon, Olivia checked the oven. It was warm outside, but the apartment was cool. She had made a lemon chicken Kurt made from his favorite cookbook. The rice was cooking, and she had tossed a salad. She wanted to have a nice dinner ready to celebrate their son.

As excited as she was, she hadn't told anyone. If she called her mother, Max's would know. He deserved to tell her himself. The minute she heard the door click, she ran to it. "Hi." She smiled.

He grinned. "You got home okay? I'm so sorry about earlier."

She put her hand up. "Max, I get it. Your appointments ran over. It happens. In fact, I bet the ultrasound tech was behind schedule."

He laughed. "Was that a dig?"

She shook her head and reached up to kiss his lips. "It was cute. I haven't seen you in action in months."

He grabbed her hip to keep her in front of him. "In action?"

"You know the sexy doctor."

His chuckle ended with a brush of his lips on hers. "It smells good."

"A celebration dinner."

"For?"

"Our son."

He nodded as he went to get some water. "Our healthy son. How was your appointment?"

"Good. Fine. Everything is on course. You've never asked before."

He stood still. "About that. I'm sorry. I know I've been difficult, but seeing him changed me. Sit. I'll tell you a story."

His face looked pained, and her belly lurched. She had the hot chicken in her hand. "It's lemon chicken."

He smiled, and she relaxed. "It was a year ago, right after my vacation."

"The wedding?"

"Yes, it was an eventful trip for each of us." Olivia covered her red face. "I was asked to participate in a surgery. It was a big deal for my career, a fascinating surgery. A newborn with multiple congenital defects. The most severe was in the heart." Olivia gasped as she remembered the intensity he studied their baby's heart. "The cardiac team went first, and I watched. Then my team took over, and I assisted and closed." He took a drink of water and she sat silently waiting. "I was only focused on the procedure. Then the magnitude hit me, he was someone's baby." He took another sip. "I went on to the next surgery. At the end of my day, I went to check on him. Right away I knew something was wrong from the flurry of activity. He coded, and I sat outside the NICU waiting. What I got was a front-row seat to a parent's worst nightmare."

Olivia felt a tear. "It wasn't your fault."

He shook his head. "I know, but it's the first baby, no child, I was involved with who died. At least while still in my team's care. The baby had a ton of issues like God was playing a sick joke. I lost my faith in the miracle of birth that day and decided I never wanted a child. I knew too much."

"What are you saying?" Her hand shook.

He shook his head. "I had convinced myself and when I heard you were pregnant, it was like a kick in the balls until today." He grinned. "When I saw everything in the right place, I think I took my first real breath. Then I saw his face." He looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "We did that."

The tears broke free with a force. "I know. I hope he looks just like you. Max, I wish you had shared your fears with me."

He shook his head. "I thought you would hate me."

"I will never hate you. I want you to pick his name."

"No, no. You should."

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "He's your son."

"He is. I'm having a son. I need to tell my mother, unless she already knows?"

"No. I didn't tell anyone. Maybe we can FaceTime our mothers together."

"After we eat. I like this chicken."

Olivia laughed. "It's lemon. We love lemon, but not enough to be a name. Doctor Lemon Steele."

Max laughed. "Not a chance. Maybe he'll join the family business and be a literary agent."

Olivia shrugged. "Maybe he'll do something unique like Ian."

"His name was Elijah."

"Elijah. It's Hebrew. Josh would like it."

Max looked at her with sad eyes. "Do you?"

"Elijah. I told you it was your choice, but I don't want the name to make you sad."

Max nodded. "I'll think about it. I really like this chicken."

"I knew you loved lemon too."

Max looked at her for a long pause before shaking his head as if to clear it. "We should make that call."

Olivia pinched herself. There was a shift in him and she wanted to make sure she wasn't dreaming. When they stood side by side to share their news with their mothers, it felt like they were a couple, united. They left their mothers to talk about little boy outfits and Max called Zach. Meanwhile, Olivia called her brother.

With the news of another male to join the Steeles circulating, Olivia went to the kitchen to clean up. Max appeared and carried the plates from the table. "I can do this. You should rest."

She chuckled. "You worked today."

"A short day compared to what I'm used to. What did Ian say?"

"He's happy. I think he's glad I'm here."

"Everyone is glad you're here."

Olivia froze and bit her lip. Screw it. "Are you?"

He nodded without smiling. "I was worried when you disappeared."

Olivia nodded and focused on putting the leftovers away. "Do you want these for lunch?"

"No. It's easier to grab something. You can eat them."

Olivia looked at the amount of chicken. "It's enough for another meal."

Max looked at her. "I was thinking about finding a Moroccan restaurant."

"We should have asked the others."

"Liv, I was thinking, just us."

"Oh, okay. We should go soon before I can't get up from those low seats."

Max looked at her belly. "You look beautiful, ripe with child."

Olivia mocked, "Ripe with child. What have you been reading? It sounds like, I don't know, the bible." Her brain stopped working because Max had moved and had his large hands on either side of her bump. Clearing her throat she said, "Your mother might be disappointed."

Max shifted his eyes from her middle to her face. She saw the crinkle around his eyes of his amusement. "You might be right. Maybe Zach will have a girl."

Max kissed her, and she didn't have words to respond or comprehend. As he deepened his kiss, all thoughts vanished. His hand wandered as he lifted her onto the table. Olivia had cleared it, but not wiped it. She wrapped her legs around him and his erection pressed into her yearning core. She wanted him all the time, but her need went beyond. It felt like a turning point, but she didn't dare mention it. She let his hands explore her, and when he lifted her to tug on her shorts, she helped. Her panties came with her elastic waist track short leaving her bare ass on the table. She was thinking about how soon he would touch her, not cleaning, when she reached into his shorts.

As his finger slid along her slickness, she encircled his circumference. "God, Liv, you are so good at..." He hissed. "I want you so bad."

She let go of him and moved her hand to his shoulder. With one movement, he slipped into her. Her legs wrapped around him and they rocked together. She pulled him down so their lips met. His hand reached between them providing the right stimulation. Olivia gasped as the sensations spread from her core.

"Scream. Let the neighbor hear you." His hot breath was on her ear.

"Don't stop! Keep going!" She exploded into a million pieces. With a guttural sound, Max buried his face in her neck. Neither moved for a long time. He usually pulled away first, but she patted his butt. "I need to clean the kitchen."

When he stepped back, he lifted her off the table. "I have never done that before."

"I think I need to use bleach." Each slipped on their own shorts.

Max frowned. "Good idea. I'll help." He stopped and looked at the ultrasound pictures she had put on the refrigerator. Olivia smiled as she sprayed bleach on the table. Her smile might never fade.

If you still hate Max keep it to yourself, but vote ⭐️